What happens to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree after the holidays?

Answers

A classsic spectacle of winter in New York, the Rockefeller Christmas tree brings curious tourists from all over. After the festivities have ended, the tree is taken down and recycled. For the 2010 Christmas, after the tree was taken down and recycled into 3 tons of mulch that was then given to the Boy Scouts. The U.S. Equestrian Team of New Jersey received the largest part as an obstacle jump.

Since 2007, the Rockefeller Center has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to reclaim the Christmas Tree’s wood for building materials. For example, lumber from the first tree of this partnership was used to build a house in Mississippi for a family who lost theirs in Hurrican Katrina. Subsequently, wood from other Christmas trees were used to build condominiums in Brooklyn, NY and Stanford, CT. Additionally, the Rockefeller Center has made a concerted effort to reduce energy used by the tree. By switching to LED tree lights, the Center has gone from using 3,510 kilowatt hours of energy a day to 1,297 kilowatt hours a day.

In past years the owner of Rocherfeller Square, Tishman Speyer Properties, has been donating the tree to the boy scouts of America. The tree would have been grounded into three tons of mulch and sold through the boy scouts in which the proceeds would help fund projects. In recent years the tree has been donated to Habitat for Humanity and used to rebuild houses that they sponsor.

“Rockefeller’s trees must be at least 65 feet (19.8 meters) tall and 35 feet (10.7 meters) wide, and most are more than 50 years old.(ScientificAmerican.com)”

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree has sentimental value to many people, from the start to finish process of the season. From the beginning selection process of the tree, people have personal stories about their famous Rockefeller Tree. After the season is over, often times the tree is turned into mulch and donated. It gives the tree much purpose even after the lights have come down.